Manchester United have confirmed the departure of Juan Mata from the club.
Mata, who signed from Chelsea for £37.1million in January 2014, joins Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard in heading out of the exit door at Old Trafford.
Spaniard, a fan favourite at United, made 285 appearances for the Red Devils but leaves with many supporters feeling he failed to fulfill his potential after being played out of position for much of his time at the club.
Mata posted a video message from the Old Trafford pitch following United’s statement, in which he thanked fans for their support ‘especially during difficult times’.
‘I’m alone. Actually this feels like a dream,’ Mata said. ‘I wanted to say thank you very much to all of you for your support over the years, especially during the difficult times that we lived together.
‘I will never forget you. Thank you very much. All the best from the bottom of my heart, and goodbye.’
Nemanja Matic, Edinson Cavani and Lee Grant are also leaving as United seek to rebuild under new manager Erik ten Hag.
Mata, 34, won the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League with the club but was unable to achieve his ambition of lifting the Premier League title at United.
‘Thank you for dedicating eight years of your career to United, Juan,’ United said in a statement. ‘Everyone at the club wishes you all the best for the future.’
Thank you for everything, @JuanMata8 — you'll be missed ????#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 2, 2022
A World Cup and European Championship winner with Spain, Mata’s arrival from Premier League rivals Chelsea in the January transfer window in 2014 was met with excitement from supporters.
His first full season at Old Trafford was perhaps most remembered for a superb acrobatic volley in a 2-1 victory away at Liverpool in March 2015 in a game dubbed by United fans as ‘Juanfield’.
Mata claimed his first trophy at United in 2016 as he scored the equaliser in their 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.
Juan has a message for us all ????❤️#MUFC | @JuanMata8 pic.twitter.com/U0TOFgq8X1
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 2, 2022
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He was then part of the side that won the League Cup and Europa League in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.
